Project Linus – North and Central Chicagoland

We are pleased that you are considering introducing Project Linus to prospective Bar/Bat Mitzvah students.  We have had many students incorporate Project Linus into their Mitzvah projects.  There are many ways to accomplish this.  I would be happy to talk to you about all of the possibilities.  Yes, it is a good fit and would give children the opportunity to help other children undergoing a crisis in their lives.  We are always in need of blankets to comfort children.  I have described two options of how you can become involved with Project Linus-making fleece blankets or decorating a quilt square. Collecting blanket making supplies such as yarn (no wool) and quilting cotton or fleece, to donate to our blanketeers would be a wonderful addition to the first two activities.

Please look at our website www.projectlinuschicago.com  and click on the “How to be Involved” tab on the top. Then scroll down to “Service Projects.” Scout meetings, individual classrooms or entire schools, religious schools and community service events have all participated in this wonderful project. Here is an overview of the options for making a Project Linus blanket.

                                    FLEECE BLANKETS

A popular option is to create fleece blankets. Please read and follow the attached instructions carefully. We recommend completing Steps 1 & 2 in the instructions before the event. This ensures that you are starting with a properly prepared piece of fleece.  Older children are able to properly cut fringe with very sharp scissors. Younger children are able to tie the knots on each piece of fringe. Making fleece blankets requires a lot of adult supervision.

TIPS FOR MAKING FLEECE BLANKETS

**Purchase 1 1⁄2 yards of fleece for each blanket. Project Linus does not provide the fleece.

**The hospitals and shelters request that only ONE LAYER of fleece be used for the blankets. Double-layered fleece blankets are too warm for the children and too bulky for storage.

** Buy fleece “off the bolt.” Please do not purchase No-Sew Fleece kits. The fleece included in the kit is often too thin to be a warm and cuddly Project Linus blanket.

**Your event will go more smoothly if each piece of fleece is prepared in advance. This involves completing Steps 1 & 2 on the fleece instruction sheet. Your participants can then begin cutting and tying the fringe right away. Preparing the fleece is done by your group

**THE SELVAGE MUST BE REMOVED BEFORE BEGINNING!  The selvage can be found on the long edges of the fleece as it is rolled off of the bolt. The selvage is not found on the width of the fabric. Cutting off the selvage is the FIRST thing to do before you start to make the blanket.

To identify the selvage, look for the following things:

v  a different color or texture

v   a rolled edge

v  pin holes

v  words printed on it

If it is not removed, our blanketeers will have the task of snipping the selvage off each piece of fringe. It is much easier to remove the selvage before the fringe is cut. The fleece should also be squared.

**Tie a knot in the middle of each piece of fringe. Do not tie two pieces of fringe together. Do not tie the fringe too tightly.

**DO NOT cut a slit on the top of each piece of fringe and thread the fringe through it. These are sometimes called “Bunny Ears.”

**We cannot accept any blanket created or stored in a smoking environment.

**If there is a pet in the home, please wash and dry blanket the blanket. Check for pet hairs. Place in a plastic bag.

**Do not use fleece that has symbols of a disease/syndrome, e.g. pink ribbons for breast cancer and puzzle pieces for autism.

** BLANKET MUST LAY FLAT before donating to Project Linus. If the fringe is tied too tightly, it becomes bowl-like requiring the blanket to be re-made by Project Linus volunteers.

**Fleece blanket instructions can be found on our website under the “Blankets” tab. www.projectlinuschicago.com

     Quilt Squares

 A second option is decorating fabric squares with permanent fabric markers.  All ages can participate and little supervision is required. We have a fabric exchange program. We provide the already cut squares made from bleached muslin. You purchase the same amount of bleached muslin and wash, dry and iron it. It is now ready to exchange for the squares.  We use the uncut fabric that you purchased for the next Kids Helping Kids event. Our volunteers will create the quilts made with your squares or one of your group can create the quilt. Permanent fabric markers are used to decorate the fabric squares.  These markers are available at most craft stores. Please advise your participants to refrain from using religious pictures or messages. We want our blankets created to be acceptable to all children.  Do not attach any decorations (buttons, sparkles etc) to the squares.

Yarn Drive

A third option can be added to either of the other two activities.  Ask your participants to donate new skeins of yarn (no wool) or quilting cotton or fleece to Project Linus.

I have included a script that relates a short history of Project Linus and tells some stories of blanket recipients.  Please copy the enclosed brochure (2 per page) and distribute it to all of the participants.  It is a good way for their families to learn about Project Linus and its community service mission.

Judi Goldman

847-498-3987    ChicagolandLinus@gmail.com